Set Me Free 7/?
Spoilers: Season 2, specifically "Hurricane Anthony"
Disclaimers: None of these characters are mine
Rating: PG-13
"She's uh, way too cheerful."
Eric grinned at Speed's comment as Calleigh walked away. It was true, Calleigh was kind of like a ray of sunshine most days, and even the recent strife in her relationship with John Hagen hadn't put a damper on her spirits.
He had heard through the grapevine that Calleigh and John had exchanged words the day that she'd found out he'd been trying to interfere with the investigation for her father's case.
That and the fact that Speed had mentioned Calleigh being upset that evening had pretty much clued him in that there was trouble brewing in that relationship.
Frankly, Eric thought that Calleigh deserved a lot better than Hagen, but as long as she was happy he wasn't about to say a word against it. As her friend he would be there to support but never to criticize.
Calleigh had always done the same for him, without question. Although, she had raised her eyebrows when he once revealed a one-night stand he'd had with some random woman.
She had just told him that she wanted him to be happy and couldn't believe that was really all he needed. As always she had managed to express her opinion in a non-judgmental way that made him really think about things.
She had been right. He did want more.
"Yeah she's definitely cheerful but that's part of what makes her Calleigh."
"True enough."
"So what are you up to tonight? Hookin' up with Yana?" Eric stated the latter with a sly grin, as his friend looked up from the magazine he was reading.
"Actually, no. She's pretty busy making repairs to the damage the storm caused to the pub. Plus the fact that we're taking a little bit of a break. Yana thinks I'm not giving her enough attention and that I'm involved with someone else on the side."
"I didn't know you two were exclusive."
"Yeah, well. We're not."
"So are you?"
"What?"
"Seeing someone else? I think I know the answer already since you haven't mentioned anyone."
"I'm not dating anyone at all. Even Yana was just a casual relationship that didn't seem to be leading anywhere."
"But there is another woman, isn't there?" Eric pressed his friend, even though he figured Speed wouldn't reveal what he already suspected.
"We're not going there, okay?" There was no point asking any more questions because it was apparent that Speed wasn't about to talk. "Besides, why are you interested in my love life, haven't you got one of your own?"
Eric couldn't stop himself from cracking a wide smile as he thought of his girlfriend.
"Yeah, I do and things are still going great. The only thing is that she's really busy, I guess it's kind of the opposite to you and Yana because Jackie's the one who doesn't really have time for me."
"Busy with school?"
"Incredibly."
"So are you going to wait for her?"
"I think so. There's just something about her, man. I never thought I'd feel this way but I think I'd be an idiot to throw it all away just because she can't give me her undivided attention right now. I don't think I'm ready for that yet anyhow."
"She sounds like a good one. So make sure you don't fuck it up, okay?" Speed said smugly.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence. It means a lot coming from you." Eric retorted sarcastically.
"Seriously Delko, she sounds cool so I hope it works out for you. Are you going to see her tonight?"
"Yeah. And I should actually get going because she's going to be coming over to my place in less than an hour. She's spent the day helping her parents fix up their house. They got hit pretty bad by the storm."
"Well, don't keep her waiting, whatever you do...not that I'm a big expert on relationships or anything."
"Whatever. You're right though, I've gotta go." Eric stood up, tossing the paper he was reading on the table. "See you tomorrow."
"Have a good time."
Speed watched his friend walk away, realizing that all he felt for him was happiness. He wasn't at all jealous of what Eric had found.
He wasn't even sure if that's what he wanted.
He hoped that being alone wasn't his fate but right now he didn't feel like he could make a commitment to anyone even if given the opportunity.
The relief he had felt when Yana had cut him loose was proof of that. She was a great girl but she was right, she needed more than he was ready to give.
Until he was with the right woman.
***
Calleigh sat at the bar, slowly nursing a cranberry juice with a shot of vodka. It was weak, which was just what she wanted.
She didn't want to get drunk, only wanted to take the edge off. Work had been great but tiring today but when the day was over she was faced again with the problems in her relationship with John.
Ever since the night that he had found her father at the bar things had been tense between them. Luckily they'd both been very busy with work and now with the after-effects of the hurricane.
The hurricane.
The thoughts that raced through her mind when the hurricane struck were very much an indication of where their relationship was headed.
Her first thought was for her father's safety but then her thoughts had immediately turned to Tim. He had been out on an assignment and Calleigh prayed that he had found shelter from the storm.
She hadn't had to wonder for long because Hagen had called her to make sure she was okay and mentioned that Speed was with him. It struck her then that she hadn't given a thought to John's whereabouts.
It was a moment of clarity that kind of scared her. What was she doing with this man?
"Hey Calleigh." She turned and found herself looking into Tim's eyes.
"Hey! I didn't expect to see you here."
"I didn't plan to come here, was just driving by and thought I'd come in for a drink."
Calleigh silently wondered if he'd seen her jeep sitting in the parking lot but decided not to call him on it. She was happy to see him and wasn't about to question his motives.
"Well, have a seat." She patted the empty barstool next to her and he sat down, ordering a beer from the bartender.
"So it's been kind of a crazy couple days, huh?"
"Definitely." Calleigh replied, taking a sip of her drink. "So everyone knows why I'm drinking alone, but what's your excuse?" She looked at him with a wry smile.
"So are you and Hagen over then?"
"Not entirely. You still didn't answer my question though..."
"I'm not drinking alone, you're here with me." Tim replied cheekily.
"So, that's how you're going to play it. That's fine." Calleigh smiled at him, knowing that it didn't matter what he told her about his relationship with Yana. The fact was that when the two of them were together everyone else became less important and she enjoyed that feeling.
"You have any big plans tonight Calleigh?" He suddenly had the overwhelming desire to be alone with her and hoped that she wouldn't object.
"Not really. Why do you ask?" Her only plan had been to take a nice long bubble bath that she'd been looking forward to all day. Yet the prospect of spending the evening with Tim was too tempting to pass up.
"I thought maybe you'd like to come over to my place. We could watch a movie, make some nachos." Calleigh blushed, remembering what had happened the night she'd come to his apartment in tears over John.
"Tim, I don't think that's a good idea. Our lives are already too complicated right now..." She had slipped up once and didn't plan to again, at least not until she had sorted out where she stood with John Hagen.
"Just a movie, Calleigh. I'm just not in the mood to go home alone, are you?" As much as he wanted to be with her he realized that he wanted more than just a fling. Now just wasn't the right time for them and while he'd accepted it he really wanted to hold onto her friendship.
They still had to work together and he didn't want there to be any awkwardness between them. The awkwardness he felt around Hagen was bad enough.
When they'd been in the same shelter during the storm and Hagen had called Calleigh to check in it had been almost painful to listen to the conversation.
He had been fighting the urge to call her himself but knew that it wouldn't have looked good in front of her boyfriend. Relief had flooded over him when he realized that she was okay and he wondered if she'd thought of him as the storm raged on outside.
"No, I'm not." Calleigh admitted, thinking how lonely it could be sometimes to go home to an empty apartment. "Okay. I'll come over, but just for a movie."
"Yeah, just a movie." Tim assured her.
Their eyes met as they both smiled and Calleigh hoped she wasn't making a mistake.
TBC...
Spoilers: Season 2, specifically "Hurricane Anthony"
Disclaimers: None of these characters are mine
Rating: PG-13
"She's uh, way too cheerful."
Eric grinned at Speed's comment as Calleigh walked away. It was true, Calleigh was kind of like a ray of sunshine most days, and even the recent strife in her relationship with John Hagen hadn't put a damper on her spirits.
He had heard through the grapevine that Calleigh and John had exchanged words the day that she'd found out he'd been trying to interfere with the investigation for her father's case.
That and the fact that Speed had mentioned Calleigh being upset that evening had pretty much clued him in that there was trouble brewing in that relationship.
Frankly, Eric thought that Calleigh deserved a lot better than Hagen, but as long as she was happy he wasn't about to say a word against it. As her friend he would be there to support but never to criticize.
Calleigh had always done the same for him, without question. Although, she had raised her eyebrows when he once revealed a one-night stand he'd had with some random woman.
She had just told him that she wanted him to be happy and couldn't believe that was really all he needed. As always she had managed to express her opinion in a non-judgmental way that made him really think about things.
She had been right. He did want more.
"Yeah she's definitely cheerful but that's part of what makes her Calleigh."
"True enough."
"So what are you up to tonight? Hookin' up with Yana?" Eric stated the latter with a sly grin, as his friend looked up from the magazine he was reading.
"Actually, no. She's pretty busy making repairs to the damage the storm caused to the pub. Plus the fact that we're taking a little bit of a break. Yana thinks I'm not giving her enough attention and that I'm involved with someone else on the side."
"I didn't know you two were exclusive."
"Yeah, well. We're not."
"So are you?"
"What?"
"Seeing someone else? I think I know the answer already since you haven't mentioned anyone."
"I'm not dating anyone at all. Even Yana was just a casual relationship that didn't seem to be leading anywhere."
"But there is another woman, isn't there?" Eric pressed his friend, even though he figured Speed wouldn't reveal what he already suspected.
"We're not going there, okay?" There was no point asking any more questions because it was apparent that Speed wasn't about to talk. "Besides, why are you interested in my love life, haven't you got one of your own?"
Eric couldn't stop himself from cracking a wide smile as he thought of his girlfriend.
"Yeah, I do and things are still going great. The only thing is that she's really busy, I guess it's kind of the opposite to you and Yana because Jackie's the one who doesn't really have time for me."
"Busy with school?"
"Incredibly."
"So are you going to wait for her?"
"I think so. There's just something about her, man. I never thought I'd feel this way but I think I'd be an idiot to throw it all away just because she can't give me her undivided attention right now. I don't think I'm ready for that yet anyhow."
"She sounds like a good one. So make sure you don't fuck it up, okay?" Speed said smugly.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence. It means a lot coming from you." Eric retorted sarcastically.
"Seriously Delko, she sounds cool so I hope it works out for you. Are you going to see her tonight?"
"Yeah. And I should actually get going because she's going to be coming over to my place in less than an hour. She's spent the day helping her parents fix up their house. They got hit pretty bad by the storm."
"Well, don't keep her waiting, whatever you do...not that I'm a big expert on relationships or anything."
"Whatever. You're right though, I've gotta go." Eric stood up, tossing the paper he was reading on the table. "See you tomorrow."
"Have a good time."
Speed watched his friend walk away, realizing that all he felt for him was happiness. He wasn't at all jealous of what Eric had found.
He wasn't even sure if that's what he wanted.
He hoped that being alone wasn't his fate but right now he didn't feel like he could make a commitment to anyone even if given the opportunity.
The relief he had felt when Yana had cut him loose was proof of that. She was a great girl but she was right, she needed more than he was ready to give.
Until he was with the right woman.
***
Calleigh sat at the bar, slowly nursing a cranberry juice with a shot of vodka. It was weak, which was just what she wanted.
She didn't want to get drunk, only wanted to take the edge off. Work had been great but tiring today but when the day was over she was faced again with the problems in her relationship with John.
Ever since the night that he had found her father at the bar things had been tense between them. Luckily they'd both been very busy with work and now with the after-effects of the hurricane.
The hurricane.
The thoughts that raced through her mind when the hurricane struck were very much an indication of where their relationship was headed.
Her first thought was for her father's safety but then her thoughts had immediately turned to Tim. He had been out on an assignment and Calleigh prayed that he had found shelter from the storm.
She hadn't had to wonder for long because Hagen had called her to make sure she was okay and mentioned that Speed was with him. It struck her then that she hadn't given a thought to John's whereabouts.
It was a moment of clarity that kind of scared her. What was she doing with this man?
"Hey Calleigh." She turned and found herself looking into Tim's eyes.
"Hey! I didn't expect to see you here."
"I didn't plan to come here, was just driving by and thought I'd come in for a drink."
Calleigh silently wondered if he'd seen her jeep sitting in the parking lot but decided not to call him on it. She was happy to see him and wasn't about to question his motives.
"Well, have a seat." She patted the empty barstool next to her and he sat down, ordering a beer from the bartender.
"So it's been kind of a crazy couple days, huh?"
"Definitely." Calleigh replied, taking a sip of her drink. "So everyone knows why I'm drinking alone, but what's your excuse?" She looked at him with a wry smile.
"So are you and Hagen over then?"
"Not entirely. You still didn't answer my question though..."
"I'm not drinking alone, you're here with me." Tim replied cheekily.
"So, that's how you're going to play it. That's fine." Calleigh smiled at him, knowing that it didn't matter what he told her about his relationship with Yana. The fact was that when the two of them were together everyone else became less important and she enjoyed that feeling.
"You have any big plans tonight Calleigh?" He suddenly had the overwhelming desire to be alone with her and hoped that she wouldn't object.
"Not really. Why do you ask?" Her only plan had been to take a nice long bubble bath that she'd been looking forward to all day. Yet the prospect of spending the evening with Tim was too tempting to pass up.
"I thought maybe you'd like to come over to my place. We could watch a movie, make some nachos." Calleigh blushed, remembering what had happened the night she'd come to his apartment in tears over John.
"Tim, I don't think that's a good idea. Our lives are already too complicated right now..." She had slipped up once and didn't plan to again, at least not until she had sorted out where she stood with John Hagen.
"Just a movie, Calleigh. I'm just not in the mood to go home alone, are you?" As much as he wanted to be with her he realized that he wanted more than just a fling. Now just wasn't the right time for them and while he'd accepted it he really wanted to hold onto her friendship.
They still had to work together and he didn't want there to be any awkwardness between them. The awkwardness he felt around Hagen was bad enough.
When they'd been in the same shelter during the storm and Hagen had called Calleigh to check in it had been almost painful to listen to the conversation.
He had been fighting the urge to call her himself but knew that it wouldn't have looked good in front of her boyfriend. Relief had flooded over him when he realized that she was okay and he wondered if she'd thought of him as the storm raged on outside.
"No, I'm not." Calleigh admitted, thinking how lonely it could be sometimes to go home to an empty apartment. "Okay. I'll come over, but just for a movie."
"Yeah, just a movie." Tim assured her.
Their eyes met as they both smiled and Calleigh hoped she wasn't making a mistake.
TBC...